Electronic camera and image processing apparatus

ABSTRACT

An electronic camera includes an image pickup device, a memory, a face detecting section, a face recognizing section, and an object specifying section. The image pickup device photo-electrically converts an image of an object into an electric signal and generates an image signal as the electric signal. The memory has recorded registration data representing characterizing points of faces as recognizing targets. The face detecting section detects face areas in a shooting image plane based on the image signal and extracts characterizing points of faces of objects from the face areas. The face recognizing section determines whether or not the face areas are the recognizing targets based on data of the characterizing points corresponding to the face areas and on the registration data. The object specifying section specifies as a main object an object present on nearest side of the electronic camera of objects as the recognizing targets.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromJapanese Patent Application No. 2006-109007, filed on Apr. 11, 2006 andJapanese Patent Application No. 2006-109008, filed on Apr. 11, 2006, theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electronic camera and an imageprocessing apparatus having a face recognizing function for a person andso forth.

2. Description of the Related Art

As described, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationPublication No. Hei 6-259534, a technique of extracting characterizingpoints of a face of a person from a shooting image and recognizing theface based on a match rate of face recognizing data of a person to berecognized and the characterizing points has been disclosed.

As a means of improving user-friendliness of an electronic camera and soforth, an electronic camera and an image processing apparatus thatspecify a person as a main object as the result of a face recognitionand perform various types of processes using information about the mainobject have been demanded.

With respect to a specific method of specifying a main object, a furtherimprovement has been requested from a view point of user-friendliness ofan electronic camera and so forth. For example, when objects of aplurality of persons as recognizing targets is shot by an electroniccamera having a face recognizing function, there is a situation of whichthe number of main objects is restricted. In contrast, when objects of aplurality of persons is shot by the electronic camera having the facerecognizing function are shot, there may be a situation of which aperson that has not been recognized by the face recognizing functionneeds to be treated as a main object. Thus, it has been demanded toprovide an electronic camera and so forth that can flexibly deal withthe foregoing situations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of therelated art. An object of the present invention is to provide anelectronic camera and an image processing apparatus having a facerecognizing function that have a means of specifying a main object thatfollows the intension of the user.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electroniccamera and an image processing apparatus that perform various types ofprocesses based on information about a main object specified as a resultof a face recognition.

A first aspect of the present invention is an electronic camera,including an image pickup device, a memory, a face detecting section, aface recognizing section, and an object specifying section. The imagepickup device photo-electrically converts an image of an object into anelectric signal and generates an image signal as the electric signal.The memory has recorded registration data representing characterizingpoints of faces as recognizing targets. The face detecting sectiondetects face areas in a shooting image plane based on the image signaland extracts characterizing points of faces of objects from the faceareas. The face recognizing section determines whether or not the faceareas are the recognizing targets based on data of the characterizingpoints corresponding to the face areas and on the registration data. Theobject specifying section specifies as a main object an object presenton nearest side of the electronic camera of objects as the recognizingtargets.

A second aspect of the present invention is an electronic camera,including an image pickup device, a memory, a face detecting section, aface recognizing section, and an object specifying section. The imagepickup device photo-electrically converts an image of an object into anelectric signal and generates an image signal as the electric signal.The memory has recorded registration data representing characterizingpoints of faces as recognizing targets. The face detecting sectiondetects face areas in a shooting image plane based on the image signaland extracts characterizing points of faces of objects from the faceareas. The face recognizing section determines whether or not the faceareas are the recognizing targets based on data of the characterizingpoints corresponding to the face areas and on the registration data. Theobject specifying section specifies as a main object an object closestto a center in a shooting image plane in objects of the recognizingtargets.

A third aspect of the present invention is an electronic camera,including an image pickup device, a memory, a face detecting section, aface recognizing section, a ranging section, and an object specifyingsection. The image pickup device photo-electrically converts an image ofan object into an electric signal and generates an image signal as theelectric signal. The memory has recorded registration data representingcharacterizing points of faces as recognizing targets. The facedetecting section detects face areas in a shooting image plane based onthe image signal and extracts characterizing points of faces of objectsfrom the face areas. The face recognizing section determines whether ornot the face areas are the recognizing targets based on data of thecharacterizing points corresponding to the face areas and on theregistration data. The ranging section calculates object-distances ofindividual objects. The object specifying section specifies as mainobjects an object whose object-distance is different from a referenceobject-distance of objects of the recognizing targets is within apredetermined range in objects corresponding to the face areas togetherwith the objects as the recognizing objects.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is an electronic camera,including an image pickup device, a memory, a face detecting section, aface recognizing section, a face recognizing section, and an objectspecifying section. The image pickup device photo-electrically convertsan image of an object into an electric signal and generates an imagesignal as the electric signal. The memory has recorded registration datarepresenting characterizing points of faces as recognizing targets. Theface detecting section detects face areas in a shooting image planebased on the image signal and extracts characterizing points of faces ofobjects from the face areas. The face recognizing section determineswhether or not the face areas are the recognizing targets based on dataof the characterizing points corresponding to the face areas and on theregistration data. The object specifying section specifies as mainobjects an object apart from objects as the recognizing targets in theshooting image plane within a predetermined range in objectscorresponding to the face areas together with the objects as therecognizing targets.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is an electronic camera,including an image pickup device, a memory, a face detecting section, aface recognizing section, and an object specifying section. The imagepickup device photo-electrically converts an image of an object into anelectric signal and generates an image signal as the electric signal.The memory has recorded registration data representing characterizingpoints of faces as recognizing targets. The face detecting sectiondetects face areas in a shooting image plane based on the image signaland extracts characterizing points of faces of objects from the faceareas. The face recognizing section determines whether or not the faceareas are the recognizing targets based on data of the characterizingpoints corresponding to the face areas and on the registration data. Theobject specifying section specifies as main objects an objectcorresponding to the face area whose size is equal to or larger than apredetermined threshold value in objects corresponding to the face areastogether with the objects as the recognizing targets.

In the first or second aspect of the present invention, it is preferredthat the electronic camera further includes a focusing section whichexecutes a focusing control based on the main objects.

In one of the third to fifth aspects of the present invention, it ispreferred that the electronic camera further include a manipulationsection which accepts an input from a user. It is also preferred thatthe object specifying section change an upper limit of a number ofobjects specified as the main objects based on the input from themanipulation section.

In one of the third to fifth aspects of the present invention, it ispreferred that the electronic camera further include a shootingcontrolling section which detects states of the main objects based onthe image signal and controls a shooting operation of the electroniccamera based on the states in which the main objects have been detected.

In one of the third to fifth aspects of the present invention, it ispreferred that the electronic camera further include an image processingsection which performs an image process for data of a shooting imageshot by the image pickup device such that the image process for areascorresponding to the main objects is different from that for otherareas.

In one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, it ispreferred that the electronic camera further include an image processingsection which generates data of the shooting image based on the imagesignal and an image file generating section which generates attachmentdata representing the main objects of the shooting image and an imagefile correlating the data of the shooting image with the attachmentdata.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is an image processingapparatus, including a data reading section, a memory, a face detectingsection, a face recognizing section, and an object specifying section.The data reading section reads data of a shooting image generated by anelectronic camera. The memory has recorded registration datarepresenting characterizing points of faces as recognizing targets. Theface detecting section detects face areas from the shooting image andextracts characterizing points of faces of objects from the face areas.The face recognizing section determines whether or not the face areasare the recognizing targets based on data of the characterizing pointscorresponding to the face areas and on the registration data. The objectspecifying section specifies as main objects an object apart fromobjects as the recognizing targets in the shooting image plane within apredetermined range in objects corresponding to the face areas togetherwith the objects as the recognizing targets.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is an image processingapparatus, including a data reading section, a memory, a face detectingsection, a face recognizing section, and an object specifying section.The data reading section reads data of a shooting image generated by anelectronic camera. The memory has recorded registration datarepresenting characterizing points of faces as recognizing targets. Theface detecting section detects face areas from the shooting image andextracts characterizing points of faces of objects from the face areas.The face recognizing section determines whether or not the face areasare the recognizing targets based on data of the characterizing pointscorresponding to the face areas and on the registration data. The objectspecifying section specifies as main objects an object corresponding tothe face area whose size is equal to or larger than a predeterminedthreshold value in objects corresponding to the face areas together withthe objects as the recognizing targets.

In the sixth or seventh aspect of the present invention, it is preferredthat the electronic camera further include an image processing sectionwhich performs an image process for the shooting image such that theimage process for areas corresponding to the main objects is differentfrom that for other areas.

An eighth aspect of the present invention is an electronic camera,including an image pickup device, a memory, a face detecting section, aface recognizing section, an object specifying section, and a shootingcontrolling section. The image pickup device photo-electrically convertsan image of an object into an electric signal and generates an imagesignal as the electric signal. The memory has recorded registration datarepresenting characterizing points of faces as recognizing targets. Theface detecting section detects face areas in a shooting image planebased on the image signal and extracts characterizing points of faces ofobjects from the face areas. The face recognizing section determineswhether or not the face areas are the recognizing targets based on dataof the characterizing points corresponding to the face areas and on theregistration data. The object specifying section specifies main objectsin the objects corresponding to the face areas as a result determined bythe face recognizing section. The shooting controlling section detectsstates of the main objects based on the image signal and controls ashooting operation of the electronic camera based on the states in whichthe main objects have been detected.

In the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is preferred that theshooting controlling section control focus based on the main objects.

In the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is preferred that theshooting controlling section detect blurring of the main objects basedon the image signal and controls the shooting operation based on statesof which the blurring of the main objects has been detected.

In the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is preferred that theshooting controlling section estimate expressions of faces of the mainobjects based on the image signal and controls the shooting operationbased on types of the expressions.

In the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is preferred that theshooting controlling section detect focusing states of a plurality ofthe main objects based on the image signal and controls a depth of fieldbased on the focusing states.

A ninth aspect of the present invention is an electronic camera,including an image pickup device, a memory, a face detecting section, aface recognizing section, an object specifying section, and an imageprocessing section. The image pickup device photo-electrically convertsan image of an object into an electric signal and generates an imagesignal as the electric signal. The memory has recorded registration datarepresenting characterizing points of faces as recognizing targets. Theface detecting section detects face areas in a shooting image planebased on the image signal and extracts characterizing points of faces ofobjects from the face areas. The face recognizing section determineswhether or not the face areas are the recognizing targets based on dataof the characterizing points corresponding to the face areas and on theregistration data. The object specifying section specifies main objectsin the objects corresponding to the face areas as a result determined bythe face recognizing section. The image processing section generatesdata of a shooting image based on the image signal and performs an imageprocess for the shooting image such that the image process for areascorresponding to the main objects is different from that for otherareas.

In the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is preferred that theimage processing section perform a correcting process for edgeenhancement such that the correcting process for the areas correspondingto the main objects is different from that for the other areas.

In the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is preferred that theimage processing section perform the image process such thatcharacteristics of gradation correction for the areas corresponding tothe main objects are different from those for the other areas.

In the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is preferred that theimage processing section performs the image process for color saturationsuch that the color saturation for the areas corresponding to the mainobjects is different from that for the other areas.

In the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is preferred that theimage processing section execute a light volume correcting process whichadjusts a gradation of a dark portion or a highlight portion of an imageof the areas corresponding to the main objects as a result of an imageanalysis

In the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is preferred that theimage processing section perform a noise reduction process such that thenoise reduction process for the areas corresponding to the main objectsis different from that for the other areas.

In the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is preferred that theimage processing section perform a correcting process for red-eyereduction such that the red-eye reduction for the areas corresponding tothe main objects is different from that for the other areas.

In the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is preferred that theimage processing section perform a correcting process for blurringreduction such that the blurring reduction for the areas correspondingto the main objects is different from that for the other areas.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is an electronic camera,including an image pickup device, a memory, a face detecting section, aface recognizing section, an object specifying section, an imageprocessing section, and an image file generating section. The imagepickup device photo-electrically converts an image of an object into anelectric signal and generates an image signal as the electric signal.The memory has recorded registration data representing characterizingpoints of faces as recognizing targets. The face detecting sectiondetects face areas in a shooting image plane based on the image signaland extracts characterizing points of faces of objects from the faceareas. The face recognizing section determines whether or not the faceareas are the recognizing targets based on data of the characterizingpoints corresponding to the face areas and on the registration data. Theobject specifying section specifies main objects in the objectscorresponding to the face areas as a result determined by the facerecognizing section. The image processing section generates data of ashooting image based on the image signal. The image file generatingsection generates together with attachment data representing the mainobjects of the shooting image, an image file of which the attachmentdata are correlated with the data of the shooting image.

An eleventh aspect of the present invention is an electronic camera,including an image pickup device, a memory, a face detecting section, aface recognizing section, an object specifying section, an imageprocessing section, and a printing setting data generating section. Theimage pickup device photo-electrically converts an image of an objectinto an electric signal and generates an image signal as the electricsignal. The memory has recorded registration data representingcharacterizing points of faces as recognizing targets. The facedetecting section detects face areas in a shooting image plane based onthe image signal and extracts characterizing points of faces of objectsfrom the face areas. The face recognizing section determines whether ornot the face areas are the recognizing targets based on data of thecharacterizing points corresponding to the face areas and on theregistration data. The object specifying section specifies main objectsin the objects corresponding to the face areas as a result determined bythe face recognizing section. The image processing section generatesdata of a shooting image based on the image signal. The printing settingdata generating section generates printing setting data with whichprinting of the shooting image is set based on the main objectsspecified in the shooting image.

A twelfth aspect of the present invention is an electronic camera,including an image pickup device, a memory, a face detecting section, aface recognizing section, an object specifying section, an imageprocessing section, and a controlling section. The image pickup devicephoto-electrically converts an image of an object into an electricsignal and generates an image signal as the electric signal. The memoryhas recorded registration data representing characterizing points offaces as recognizing targets and address data used for datacommunication with persons of the registration data. The face detectingsection detects face areas in a shooting image plane based on the imagesignal and extracts characterizing points of faces of objects from theface areas. The face recognizing section determines whether or not theface areas are the recognizing targets based on data of thecharacterizing points corresponding to the face areas and on theregistration data. The object specifying section specifies main objectsin the objects corresponding to the face areas as a result determined bythe face recognizing section. The image processing section generatesdata of a shooting image based on the image signal. The controllingsection correlates the address data corresponding to the main objectswith the data of the shooting image.

A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is an image processingapparatus, including a data reading section, a memory, a face detectingsection, a face recognizing section, an object specifying section, andan image processing section. The data reading section reads data of ashooting image generated by an electronic camera. The memory hasrecorded registration data representing characterizing points of facesas recognizing targets. The face detecting section detects face areas ina shooting image plane and extracts characterizing points of faces ofobjects from the face-areas. The face recognizing section determineswhether or not the face areas are the recognizing targets based on dataof the characterizing points corresponding to the face areas and on theregistration data. The object specifying section specifies main objectsin the objects corresponding to the face areas as a result determined bythe face recognizing section. The image processing section performs animage process such that the image process for areas corresponding to themain objects of the shooting image is different from that for otherareas.

A fourteenth aspect of the present invention is an image processingapparatus, including a data reading section, a memory, a face detectingsection, a face recognizing section, an object specifying section, and aplayback controlling section. The data reading section reads data of ashooting image generated by an electronic camera. The memory hasrecorded registration data representing characterizing points of facesas recognizing targets and playback setting data representing displaysetting for playback of a shooting image of objects of the registrationdata. The face detecting section detects face areas in a shooting imageplane and extracts characterizing points of faces of objects from theface areas. The face recognizing section determines whether or not theface areas are the recognizing targets based on data of thecharacterizing points corresponding to the face areas and on theregistration data. The object specifying section specifies main objectsin the objects corresponding to the face areas as a result determined bythe face recognizing section. The playback controlling section obtainsthe playback setting data corresponding to the main objects and playsback the shooting image based on the playback setting data.

A fifteenth aspect of the present invention is an image processingapparatus, including a data reading section a memory, a face detectingsection, a face recognizing section, an object specifying section, and aprinting setting data generating section. The data reading section readsdata of a shooting image generated by an electronic camera. The memoryhas recorded registration data representing characterizing points offaces as recognizing targets. The face detecting section detects faceareas in a shooting image plane and extracts characterizing points offaces of objects from the face areas. The face recognizing sectiondetermines whether or not the face areas are the recognizing targetsbased on data of the characterizing points corresponding to the faceareas and on the registration data. The object specifying sectionspecifies main objects in the objects corresponding to the face areas asa result determined by the face recognizing section. The printingsetting data generating section generates printing setting data withwhich printing of the shooting image is set based on the main objectsspecified in the shooting image.

A sixteenth aspect of the present invention is an image processingapparatus, including a data reading section, a memory, a face detectingsection, a face recognizing section, an object specifying section, and acontrolling section. The data reading section reads data of a shootingimage generated by an electronic camera. The memory has recordedregistration data representing characterizing points of faces asrecognizing targets and address data used for data communication withpersons of the registration data. The face detecting section detectsface areas in a shooting image plane and extracts characterizing pointsof faces of objects from the face areas. The face recognizing sectiondetermines whether or not the face areas are the recognizing targetsbased on data of the characterizing points corresponding to the faceareas and on the registration data. The object specifying sectionspecifies main objects in the objects corresponding to the face areas asa result determined by the face recognizing section. The controllingsection correlates the address data corresponding to the main objectswith the data of the shooting image.

A seventeenth aspect of the present invention is an image processingapparatus, including a data reading section, an object specifyingsection, and an image processing section. The data reading section readsan image file of which data of a shooting image generated by anelectronic camera and attachment data representing main objects in theshooting image specified in a face recognizing process by the electroniccamera have been correlated. The object specifying section specifies themain objects in objects of the shooting image based on the attachmentdata. The image processing section performs an image process such thatthe image process for areas corresponding to the main objects in theshooting image is different from that for other areas.

An eighteenth aspect of the present invention is an image processingapparatus, including a data reading section, a memory, an objectspecifying section, and a playback controlling section. The data readingsection reads an image file of which data of a shooting image generatedby an electronic camera and attachment data representing main objects inthe shooting image specified in a face recognizing process by theelectronic camera have been correlated. The memory has recorded playbacksetting data representing display setting for playback of the shootingimage containing registered persons. The object specifying sectionspecifies the main objects in objects of the shooting image based on theattachment data. The playback controlling section plays back theshooting image based on the playback setting data corresponding to theregistered persons when the main objects match the registered persons.

A nineteenth aspect of the present invention is an image processingapparatus, including a data reading section, an object specifyingsection, and a printing setting data generating section. The datareading section reads an image file of which data of a shooting imagegenerated by an electronic camera and attachment data representing mainobjects in the shooting image specified in a face recognizing process bythe electronic camera have been correlated. The object specifyingsection specifies the main object in objects of the shooting image basedon the attachment data. The printing setting data generating sectiongenerates printing setting data with which printing of the shootingimage is set based on the main objects specified in the shooting image.

A twentieth aspect of the present invention is an image processingapparatus, including a data reading section, a memory, an objectspecifying section, and a controlling section. The data reading sectionreads an image file of which data of a shooting image generated by anelectronic camera and attachment data representing main objects in theshooting image specified in a face recognizing process by the electroniccamera have been correlated. The memory has recorded address data usedfor data communication with registered persons. The object specifyingsection specifies the main objects in objects of the shooting imagebased on the attachment data. The controlling section correlates theaddress data corresponding to the main objects with data of the shootingimage when the main objects match the registered persons.

A twenty-first aspect of the present invention is an electronic camera,including a recognizing unit, a registering unit, and a registrationcontrolling unit. The recognizing unit recognizes, together with aperson, an object other than a person. The registering unit registersrecognizing data which the recognizing unit uses to recognize theobject. The registration controlling unit categorizes together with therecognizing data about the person, the recognizing data about the objectother than the person as a group and registers the group. In thetwenty-first aspect of the present invention, it is preferred that theobject other than the person be an animal.

In the fourteenth to seventeenth aspects of the present invention, it ispreferred that the image processing section perform the same imageprocess as does the image processing section of the ninth aspect of thepresent invention. In addition, the structures of the thirteenth totwentieth aspects of the present invention may be effectively embodiedas methods, record mediums, computer programs, and so forth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The nature, principle, and utility of the invention will become moreapparent from the following detailed description when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts aredesignated by identical reference numbers, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a structure of an electronic cameraaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart describing an example of an operation in ashooting mode of the electronic camera according to this embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart describing an example of an operation in theshooting mode of the electronic camera according to this embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a representation ofa view image when faces have been detected;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart describing an example of an operation in anediting mode of the electronic camera according to this embodiment ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a representation ofa menu on a monitor in the editing mode.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a structure of an electronic cameraaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

The electronic camera has a shooting lens 11, a lens driving section 12,an aperture 13, an aperture driving section 14, an image pickup device15, an analog processing section 16, an A/D converting section 17, atiming generator (TG) 18, a first memory 19, an image processing section20, a recording I/F 21, a displaying I/F 22, a monitor 23, amanipulation section 24, a communicating section 25, an external I/F 26,a CPU 27, a second memory 28, and a system bus 29. The first memory 19,the image processing section 20, the recording I/F 21, the displayingI/F 22, the communicating section 25, the external I/F 26, and the CPU27 are connected through the system bus 29.

The shooting lens 11 is composed of a group of a plurality of lensesincluding zoom lens and a focus lens, which adjusts a focus position.Each lens that composes the shooting lens 11 is moved in an optical axisdirection by the lens driving section 12. In addition, the lens drivingsection 12 has an encoder (not shown) that detects a position in theoptical axis direction of the shooting lens 11. An Input and an outputof the lens driving section 12 are connected to the CPU 27.

The aperture 13 adjusts an amount of incident light coming from theshooting lens 11. An opening amount of the aperture 13 is adjusted bythe aperture driving section 14. An input and an output of the aperturedriving section 14 are connected to the CPU 27.

The image pickup device 15 photoelectrically converts a light beam thathas passed through the shooting lens 11 into an electric signal andgenerates an analog image signal of the image of the object. In ashooting mode of which the electronic camera shoots an object, the imagepickup device 15 shoots an image to be recorded. In a shooting standbymode, the image pickup device 15 reads an image at intervals of apredetermined time period with pixel skipping read and outputs a movingimage. Data of the moving image are used for various types ofcalculating processes by the CPU 27 and representations displayed on themonitor 23.

The analog processing section 16 is an analog frontend circuit thatperforms an analog signal process for an output of the image pickupdevice 15. The analog processing section 16 contains a CDS circuit and again circuit. The CDS circuit of the analog processing section 16reduces a noise component of the output of the image pickup device 15 bycorrelated double sampling. The gain circuit of the analog processingsection 16 amplifies the gain of the input signal under the control ofthe CPU 27. The gain circuit can adjust shooting sensitivity equivalentto ISO sensitivity.

The A/D converting section 17 converts the analog image signal outputtedfrom the analog processing section 16 into a digital signal. An outputof the A/D converting section 17 is connected to the first memory 19.

The TG 18 supplies timing pulses to the image pickup device 15, theanalog processing section 16, and the A/D converting section 17 underthe control of the CPU 27. Timings at which the image pickup device 15,the analog processing section 16, and the A/D converting section 17 aredriven are controlled with timing pulses of the TG 18.

The first memory 19 is a buffer memory that temporarily records data ofan image before and after image processes (that will be described later)are performed.

The image processing section 20 performs various types of imageprocesses for the digital image signal that has been shot in theshooting mode and generates a shooting image. In addition, the imageprocessing section 20 compresses the data of the shooting image in theJPEG format. Moreover, the image processing section 20 generates animage (view image) to be displayed with an image signal of a movingimage under the control of the CPU 27 in the shooting mode.

On the other hand, in an editing mode of which the electronic camera forexample plays back a shooting image, the image processing section 20executes a decompressing process for data of the shooting image that hasbeen compressed. In addition, in the editing mode, the image processingsection 20 can perform image processes for data of the shooting image.Details of image processes that the image processing section 20 performwill be described later.

The recording I/F 21 has a connecter connected to a record medium 30.The recording I/F 21 executes writing/reading of data of a shootingimage to/from the record medium 30 connected through the connector,respectively. The record medium 30 is composed of for example a harddisk or a memory card containing a semiconductor memory. FIG. 1 shows amemory card as an example of the record medium 30.

The displaying I/F 22 controls the display of the monitor 23 under thecontrol of the CPU 27. In addition, the displaying I/F 22 has a videoterminal through which an image is output to the outside of theelectronic camera. Thus, the electronic camera of this embodiment cancause an external display device (such as a television set) to display aplayback image through a video terminal of the displaying I/F 22.

The monitor 23 displays various types of images under the control of theCPU 27 and the displaying I/F 22. The monitor 23 of this embodiment iscomposed of a liquid crystal monitor. The monitor 23 displays a viewimage as a moving image in the shooting standby state of the shootingmode. In addition, the monitor 23 can superimpose representations ofvarious types of information that are necessary for shooting (forexample, the number of frames that can be shot, the position of a focusdetecting area, a frame representation of a face area detected in a facedetecting process that will be described later) with a view image usingan on-screen function.

In addition, the monitor 23 can display a playback image based on dataof a shooting image and a menu screen on which data can be input in theGUI (Graphical User Interface) format (illustrations of the view screenand the menu screen displayed on the monitor 23 are omitted).

The manipulation section 24 has a release button, operation buttons, andso forth. The release button of the manipulation section 24 is used toaccept an exposure operation start input from the user. The operationbuttons of the manipulation section 24 are used to accept a data inputfrom the user on the foregoing menu screen and so forth and to acceptthe shooting mode switching input of the electronic camera from him orher.

The communicating section 25 controls communication with an externaldevice based on specifications defined in wireless LAN standard IEEE802.11. For example, when data of shooting image are transmitted to anexternal device, the communicating section 25 converts the data of theshooting image into data that are wirelessly communicable and transmitsthe converted data to the external device.

The external I/F 26 has a connection terminal defined in a serialcommunication standard such as USB (Universal Serial Bus). The externalI/F 26 controls data transmission/reception with for example a computerconnected through the connection terminal based on the communicationstandard.

The CPU 27 controls an operation of each section of the electroniccamera according to a sequence program stored in a ROM (not shown). Inaddition, the CPU 27 executes various types of calculations necessaryfor shooting and so forth (details will be described later). Inaddition, the CPU 27 of this embodiment functions as an AF controllingsection 31, a face detecting section 32, and a face recognizing section33.

The AF controlling section 31 executes control of driving a focus lens,a known AF calculation according to a contrast detecting method based ondata of a moving image, and so forth. The AF controlling section 31obtains the position of the focus lens from the lens driving section 12in the state that each object is focused and calculates object-distancesof objects in a shooting image plane.

The face detecting section 32 extracts characterizing points from dataof a moving image or a shooting image and detects a face area of eachobject, the size of each face, and so forth. The face detecting section32 extracts a face area according to a characterizing point extractingprocess described, for example, in Japanese Unexamined PatentApplication Publication No. 2001-16573. The characterizing points arefor example end points of eyebrows, eyes, a nose, and lips, edge pointsof a face, a vertex point of a head, and lower end point of a chin. Theface detecting section 32 can detect faces of animals such as dogs,cats, and birds.

The face recognizing section 33 generates face recognizing data based onthe characterizing points detected by the face detecting section 32. Theface recognizing section 33 generates face recognizing data of a personas a recognizing target based on for example the positions of thecharacterizing points of the detected face, the sizes of parts of theface obtained from the characterizing points, the relative distances ofthe individual characterizing points, and so forth.

In addition, the face recognizing section 33 performs a face recognizingprocess of determining whether or not the face of a person in theshooting image plane is the face of a person of the face recognizingdata. Specifically, the face recognizing section 33 calculates thepositions of the characterizing points of the face of each person as anobject to be shot, the sizes of the parts of the face of each person,the relative distances of the individual characterizing points based onthe characterizing points of the face of each person detected by theface recognizing section 33. Thereafter, the face recognizing section 33compares the calculated results with the face recognizing data andobtains similarity of the face of each person of the face recognizingdata with the face of each person as an object to be shot. When thesimilarity exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the face recognizingsection 33 determines that the person as an object to be shot match theperson of the face recognizing data. The CPU 27 specifies a main object(that will be described later) as the result of the face recognition bythe face recognizing section 33.

In this embodiment, the face recognizing section 33 can generate facerecognizing data of animals in the same manner as those of persons. Inaddition, the face recognizing section 33 recognizes a face of eachanimal in the shooting image plane based on the face recognizing data ofeach animal.

The second memory 28 is connected to the CPU 27. The second memory 28records the face recognizing data generated by the face recognizingsection 33. The second memory 28 can generate group folders forindividual persons who have been registered (registered persons) so thatthe face recognizing data are grouped by registered persons. Forexample, a plurality of records of face recognizing data that differ inthe orientations of the face, shooting conditions, and so forth can berecorded in a group folder for each registered person.

In addition, setting data that represent various types of setting thatthe CPU 27 applies when the face recognizing section 33 has recognized aregistered person can be recorded to each group folder of the secondmemory 28. Examples of the setting data include (1) playback displaysetting data, (2) print setting data, (3) transmission setting data.

As (1) playback display setting data, various playback and displayoperations can be set in the editing mode. When a slide show isdisplayed, as playback display setting data, for example, a displayduration of a shooting image of a registered person, a display pattern,and music performed with an image can be set. As (2) print setting data,for example, presence/absence of generation of print setting dataaccording to the DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) standard and detailsof print setting (the number of prints and size) can be set. As (3)transmission setting data, for example, necessity of transmission of ashooting image of a registered person and address data of a recipient(electronic mail address) can be set.

In the foregoing description, it was assumed that face recognizing dataof persons are grouped and their group folders are generated. Instead,face recognizing data of animals may be grouped and their group foldersmay be generated. In addition, setting data of face recognizing data ofanimals may be recorded in group folders. For example, a dog can beregistered to a group folder of “family” of persons who keep the dog.

Next, with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, an example of an operation inthe shooting mode of the electronic camera of this embodiment will bedescribed. In the following description, it is assumed that an object ofa person is shot.

Step 101: First of all, the user sets the CPU 27 for the shooting modeand turns on the face recognizing function. When the user has set theCPU 27 for the shooting mode, the user can omit this step S101.

While the electronic camera has been set for the shooting mode, the userperforms an operation of evoking a menu screen with the manipulationsection 24. Thus, the CPU 27 causes the monitor 23 to display the menuscreen. The user manipulates a cursor or the like on the menu screenwith the manipulation section 24 to cause the CPU 27 to turn on the facerecognizing function. Thus, the CPU 27 executes a face recognition basedon face recognizing data. On the foregoing menu screen, the user canperform various types of setting for a main object (details will bedescribed later).

Step 102: The CPU 27 drives the image pickup device 15 to startcapturing a moving image. The image pickup device 15 pixel skippingreads an image signal of a moving image at intervals of a predeterminedtime period and obtains the image signal. The image processing section20 successively generates a view image based on data of the movingimage. In the shooting standby state, the monitor 23 displays a viewimage as a moving image. Thus, the user can frame an object with theview image on the monitor 23 to decide a shooting layout.

Step 103: The face detecting section 32 of the CPU 27 performs a facedetecting process for the data of the moving image and detects a facearea in a shooting image plane.

Step 104: The CPU 27 determines whether or not a face area has beendetected in the face detecting process at S103. When a face area hasbeen detected (YES side), the flow advances to S105. In contrast, when aface area has not been detected (NO side), the flow advances to S110.

Step 105: The face recognizing section 33 of the CPU 27 executes theface recognizing process of detecting a face of a registered person as arecognizing target in the face area based on data of characterizingpoints obtained in the face detecting process at S103 and facerecognizing data of the second memory 28.

Step 106: The CPU 27 determines whether or not a face of a registeredperson has been detected in the face recognizing process at S105. When aface of a registered person has been detected (YES side), the flowadvances to S107. In contrast, when a face of a registered person hasnot been detected (NO side), the flow advances to S109.

Step 107: The CPU 27 specifies a main object in objects corresponding tothe face area as the result of the face recognizing process at S105. Atthis point, the CPU 27 can specify two or more persons as main objects.The user can change the number of main objects that the CPU 27 specifiesby manipulating the manipulation section 24. This is because byadjusting the number of main objects, a shooting environment that theuser wants can be accomplished. The number of main objects that the CPU27 specifies can be set on the menu screen or the like.

Next, a method in which the CPU 27 specifies a main object will bespecifically described.

First, the CPU 27 specifies a registered person as a main object.

Second, the CPU 27 further specifies an object in a face area thatsatisfies a predetermined condition in face areas that are not aregistered person as a main object. Of course, if the number of mainobjects exceeds a predetermined upper limit, the CPU 27 omits thissecond step.

For example, in the second step, the CPU 27 further specifies a mainobject in other than a registered person in one of the following methods(1) to (3).

(1) The CPU 27 specifies as a main object a person whose object-distancenearly equals an object-distance of a registered person (thisobject-distance is referred to as the reference object-distance) inobjects whose face areas have been detected. In other words, in thiscase, a person who is apart from a registered person in the shootingimage plane and whose object-distance nearly equals that of theregistered person is specified as main objects together with theregistered person.

Specifically, the CPU 27 specifies a main object as follows. First,while the CPU 27 is causing the focus lens to scan in one direction andthe image pickup device 15 to drive, the CPU 27 obtains a plurality ofmoving images. Thereafter, the CPU 27 obtains a contrast value of eachof face areas of the moving images in the same manner as the AFcalculation. The CPU 27 calculates the object-distance of each face areain the shooting image plane based on the position of the focus lens atwhich the contrast value becomes the highest in each face area. The CPU27 specifies as a main object an object in a face area of which thedifference between its object-distance and an object-distance of aregistered person (reference object-distance) is within a thresholdvalue.

(2) The CPU 27 specifies as a main object a person at a position apartfrom a registered person in a predetermined range in the shooting imageplane in objects whose face areas have been detected (a face area apartfrom a face area of a registered person in the predetermined range). Inother words, in this case, a person close to a registered person isspecified as main objects together with the registered person.

(3) The CPU 27 specifies as a main object an object whose face area isequal to or larger than a predetermined threshold value in objects whoseface areas have been detected. At this point, the CPU 27 specifies theforegoing threshold value based on the size of the face area of theregistered person. For example, the CPU 27 may specify as a main objectan object whose face area is larger than a face area of a registeredperson. In this case, a person considered to be present on the nearerthe electronic camera than a registered person is specified as mainobjects together with a registered person. In addition, the CPU 27 canalso specify as a main object an object whose face area is not largelydifferent from that of a registered person. In this case, like (1)above, a person whose object-distance is considered to nearly equal thatof a registered person can be specified as main objects together withthe registered person.

Step 108: The CPU 27 causes the monitor 23 to display the face areadetected at S103 and the main object specified at S107. Thereafter, theflow advances to S110.

FIG. 4(a) shows an example of a representation of face areas and a mainobject on the monitor 23. In the example shown in FIG. 4(a), the CPU 27causes the monitor 23 to superimpose square frames with face areas ofthe view image. The CPU 27 causes the monitor 23 to display a face areaof a main object such that the thickness or color the face area of themain object are differ from those of other face areas. Thus, the usercan check the result of the face detection and the main object specifiedby the CPU 27 with a view image. With a frame representation of a mainobject shown in FIG. 4(a), a frame of a registered person may bedifferent from frames of other persons.

Step 109: The CPU 27 causes the monitor 23 to display only the faceareas detected at S103. In this case, the monitor 23 displays the faceareas nearly in the same manner as those displayed at S108 except thatthe monitor 23 does not display a main object.

Step 110: The CPU 27 determines whether or not the release button hasbeen halfway pressed. When the release button has been halfway pressed(YES side), the flow advances to S111. In contrast, when the releasebutton has not been halfway pressed (NO side), the flow returns to S102.At S102, the CPU 27 repeats the foregoing operation.

Step 111: The CPU 27 determines whether or not a main object has beenspecified at S107. When a main object has been specified (YES side), theflow advances to S112. In contrast, when a main object has not beenspecified (NO side), the flow advances to S125.

Step 112: The CPU 27 determines whether there is one main object orthere is a plurality of main objects. When there is one main object (YESside), the flow advances to S113. In contrast, when there is a pluralityof main objects (NO side), the flow advances to S114.

Step 113: The AF controlling section 31 of the CPU 27 executes an AFcontrol and an AE calculation based on main objects (registered persons)specified at S107. Thereafter, the flow advances to S116.

Step 114: The CPU 27 decides a face to be focused in the main objects.

The CPU 27 limits a face to be focused to a face area of a registeredperson. When there is one face of-a registered person, the CPU 27specifies as a face to be focused the face of the registered person.When there is a plurality of faces of registered persons, the CPU 27specifies as a face to be focused a face considered to have the largestarea and be present on the nearest side of the electronic camera or aface close to the center in the shooting image plane.

Step 115: The CPU 27 executes the AF control and the AE calculationbased on the face of the main object (registered person) selected atS114. In this example, the CPU 27 may control the aperture 13 to widen adepth of field corresponding to the focus states of the faces of themain objects so that the faces of all the main objects are focused whenthe CPU 27 performs the AF calculation.

Step 116: The CPU 27 determines whether or not the face of any mainobject specified at S107 is blurring. When the face of any main objectis blurring (YES side), the flow advances to S117. In contrast, when theface of any main object is not blurring (NO side), the flow advances tostep S118. Depending on the setting on the menu screen, the CPU 27 mayomit the determination of blurring of an object at S116. In this case,the flow advances to S118.

The detection of blurring of an object at S115 is performed by a knownmeans. For example, if an object is moving, an afterimage occurs at anedge portion of the object. Thus, the CPU 27 extracts a high frequencycomponent in spatial frequencies from the plurality of moving images anddetects blurring of a main object based on variations of edge portionsof the moving images. Instead, the CPU 27 may obtain areas whosepatterns are matched in the moving images and detect blurring of anobject based on the moving distance between the areas. As an algorithmof obtaining areas whose patterns are matched in images, for examplesequential similarity detection method and structure matching method areknown.

Step 117: The CPU 27 sets shooting conditions such as shootingsensitivity and f-number for a shorter exposure time to suppressblurring of the object. Thus, the possibility that shooting fails due toblurring of an object as moving of a main object decreases. Since theCPU 27 does not detect blurring of other than a person of a main object,the CPU 27 does not change shooting conditions by moving of other than aperson of a main object.

Step 118: The CPU 27 estimates the expression of the face of the mainobject based on the detected state of characterizing points of the facein the face area. The CPU 27 determines whether or not the expressionsof the faces of all the main objects are predetermined states (forexample, closing eyes or smiling). When the foregoing condition has beensatisfied (YES side), the flow advances to S119. In contrast, when theforegoing condition has not been satisfied (NO side), the CPU 27 waitsuntil the expressions of all the main objects have become thepredetermined states. At this point, the CPU 27 may cause the monitor 23to display an alarm about the expressions of the main objects. Dependingon the setting on the main screen, the CPU 27 may omit the process ofstep S118.

At this point, the expressions of the faces are detected at S118 by aknown means. As described, for example, in Japanese Unexamined PatentApplication Publication No. 2004-272933, learning face imagescategorized as classes of normal face expression, face with eyes closed,face with open mouth, smiling face, and so forth may be prepared. Afterthe CPU 27 has identified the expression of a face according tocanonical discriminant analysis, the CPU 27 may determine the expressionof the face based on an evaluation value preset for each class. Instead,standard patterns of open eyes, closed eyes, open mouth, closed mouth,and so forth may be prepared. The CPU 27 may match each of the preparedpatterns with the face area and estimate the expression of the face incombinations of the patterns.

When the result at S118 is NO, the CPU 27 does not permit shooting untilthe expression of the face of the main object has changed. Thus, theuser can shoot a main object in the state that the expression of themain object matches user's desired condition. As a result, thepossibility that the user fails to shoot a main object decreases. Inaddition, since the CPU 27 does not estimate the expression of otherthan a person of a main object, the shooting of the electronic camera isnot restricted by other than a person of a main object.

Step 119: The CPU 27 determines whether or not the release button hasbeen fully pressed. When the release button has been fully pressed (YESside), the flow advances to step S120. In contrast, when the releasebutton has not been fully pressed (NO side), the flow returns to S118.

Step 120: The CPU 27 drives the image pickup device 15 to shoot an imageof the object.

Step 121: The CPU 27 causes the image processing section 20 to generatedata of the shooting image. As described in (1) to (8) below, the imageprocessing section 20 may perform an image process such that the imageprocess for the area corresponding to the main object (specified atS107) of the shooting image is different from that for the other areas.The CPU 27 can change the on/off states of the following image processesdepending on setting on the menu screen.

(1) The image processing section 20 performs an edge enhancing processsuch that the edge enhancing process for an area of a main object isdifferent from that for the other areas. For example, the imageprocessing section 20 performs the edge enhancing process for the areaof the main object of the shooting image with an edge enhancing filterthat is weaker than that for the other areas. As a result, a favorableshooting image of a person of a main object whose skin disorder is lessremarkable can be obtained.

(2) The image processing section 20 performs a gradation correction suchthat the gradation correction characteristics of the area of a mainobject are different from those of the other areas. For example, theimage processing section 20 executes the gradation correction byapplying different gradation characteristic tables for the area of themain object of the shooting image and for the other areas in theirgradation curves. Specifically, the image processing section 20 appliesa characteristics table having a softer gradation curve for the area ofthe main object so that the contrast of the area of the main objectbecomes lower than that of the other areas. As a result, a favorableshooting image of which the face of the main object is soft can beobtained.

(3) The image processing section 20 corrects color saturation such thatthe color saturation for the area of the main object becomes higher thanthat for the other areas. For example, the image processing section 20sets the parameter of the color saturation such that the value of theparameter for the area of the main object becomes higher than that forthe other areas. As a result, a favorable shooting image of which thedullness of the skin color of the person of the main object is reducedcan be obtained.

(4) The image processing section 20 executes a light volume correctingprocess of adjusting the gradation of a dark portion or a highlightportion of an image of the area of the main object as the result of theimage analysis. The light volume correcting process is performed by aknown technique disclosed, for example, in Japanese Unexamined PatentApplication Publication No. 2006-5699. Specifically, the imageprocessing section 20 extracts a local variation component from ashooting image and generates a locally varying image containing thevariation component. Next, the image processing section 20 obtains amodulation signal that modulates the shooting image into the locallyvarying image and compresses the level of the modulation signal.Thereafter, the image processing section 20 modulates the shooting imagewith the modulation signal that has been level-compressed and obtains agradation corrected image. As a result, a favorable image of which darkand bright variation in the correction range is properly suppressed andof which gradation that is visually buried in the background iscorrected can be obtained. In particular, when shooting is performedagainst the sun or when flash-light does not sufficiently reach a personin flash-shooting, the shooting image can be properly corrected. Whenthe image process for other than the area of the main object is partlyomitted, the calculating time can be shortened.

(5) The image processing section 20 performs a noise reduction processsuch that the noise reduction process for the area of the main object isdifferent from that for the other areas. For example, the imageprocessing section 20 executes the noise reduction process only for thearea of the main object of the shooting image with a median filter orthe like. As a result, a granular appearance of the face of the mainobject can be suppressed. When the image process for other than the areaof the main object is partly omitted, the calculating time can beshortened.

(6) The image processing section 20 performs a red-eye reductioncorrection as an image process for only the area of the main object. Thered-eye reduction correction is performed by a known techniquedisclosed, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationPublication No. Hei 10-233929. Specifically, the image processingsection 20 detects a red-eye area from the face area and corrects thedetected red-eye area so that the brightness or color saturation of thedetected red-eye area decreases. As a result, red eyes can be preventedfrom appearing in the main object. When the image process for other thanthe person of the main object is partly omitted, the calculating timecan be shortened.

(7) The image processing section 20 performs a blurring reductioncorrection only for the area of the main object. For example, the imageprocessing section 20 performs an unsharp mask process for the area ofthe main object to alleviate hand-blurring or focus-shifting. As aresult, the focus-shifting and blurring of the main object can bealleviated to some extent. When the image process for other than thearea of the main object is partly omitted, the calculating time can beshortened.

(8) The image processing section 20 performs a soft focus process onlyfor the area of the main object of the shooting image. As a result, themain object is enhanced. In addition, a soft shooting image can befavorably obtained.

The soft focus process of the image processing section 20 is performedby the following means. For example, the image processing section 20performs a filter process for the shooting image for example with a lowpass filter or a filter having a predetermined soft focus effect andthereby generates a soft focus image. Instead, the image processingsection 20 may generate a mask image from a shooting image and combinethe filtered image and the original image based on the mask image,resulting in generating a soft focus image.

Step 122: The CPU 27 generates an image file based on the Exif(Exchangeable image file format for digital still cameras) standard. TheCPU 27 generates data of a header of an image file using a work area ofthe first memory 19 or the second memory 28. For example, together withdata of shooting conditions (exposure time, f-number, shootingsensitivity, and so forth) of the shooting image, the CPU 27 recordsdata that represent the position of a main object specified at S107 anddata that represent a registered person to the header using a MarkerNotetag. Data of the position of the main object and so forth recorded inthe header are used when the user performs an image process (sameprocess as SI 21 ) for the main object that has been shot. The CPU 27correlates the data of the shooting image with the data of the header,generates an image file, and finally records the image file to therecord medium 30.

Step 123: The CPU 27 generates printing setting data for the image filegenerated at S122 based on the DPOF standard. Depending on the settingon the menu screen, the CPU 27 may omit the process of S123.

Specifically, the CPU 27 specifies an image file of a shooting image tobe printed. In addition, the CPU 27 counts the number of main objects inthe shooting image and specifies the number of prints for the printingsetting data. In addition, the CPU 27 specifies the print size (L, 2L,etc.) of the printing setting data depending on the setting on the menuscreen. Instead, the CPU 27 may read printing setting for a registeredperson detected at S105 from the second memory 28 and specify the numberof prints and the print size for the printing setting data.

Step 124: The CPU 27 correlates the image file generated at S122 withaddress data for wireless communication and transmits the image file tothe outside through the communicating section 25. Depending on thesetting on the menu screen, the CPU 27 may omit the process of S124 andcomplete a sequence of steps of the shooting operation.

Specifically, the CPU 27 reads the transmission setting for theregistered person detected at S105 from the second memory 28. When thetransmission setting for the shooting image has been set to the ONstate, the CPU 27 causes the communicating section 25 to transmit theimage file to a recipient represented by the address data. In contrast,when the transmission setting for the shooting image has been set to theOFF state, namely the wireless communication is not enabled, the CPU 27may record the address data to the header of the image file.

Step 125: In this case, the CPU 27 executes AF and AE according to thesame algorithm as it performs the regular shooting. When the releasebutton has been fully pressed, the CPU 27 shoots the object andgenerates shooting image data. As a result, the operation of theshooting mode is completed.

Next, effects in the shooting mode of the electronic camera of thisembodiment will be described.

In the foregoing shooting mode, the electronic camera performs theshooting control, image processes, and so forth on the basis of a mainobject specified as the result of a face recognition. In addition, theelectronic camera can automatically generate printing setting data ofdata of a shooting image whose main object has been specified andtransmit the data of the shooting image to the outside through wirelesscommunication. Thus, according to this embodiment, an electronic camerathat is functional and user-friendly can be accomplished.

When the CPU 27 specifies a main object, the CPU 27 detects a registeredperson by the face recognizing process and specifies the registeredperson as the main object. Depending on shooting scenes, together with aregistered person, the CPU 27 can specify as main objects a person thatit can estimate that the user wants to treat the person in the samemanner as a registered person. Thus, according to this embodiment, ashooting image that follows the intention of the user can be easilyobtained.

Next, with reference to FIG. 5, an example of an operation in theediting mode of the electronic camera of this embodiment will bedescribed. In the editing mode, image files that have been recorded tothe record medium 30 or the like according to the Exif standard areplayed back. The CPU 27 starts the editing mode in the state that theelectronic camera is operating in the shooting mode when the CPU 27accepts an input of the release button. Instead, depending on a modeselection operation of the user, the CPU 27 may directly start theediting mode not through the shooting mode.

Step 201: The CPU 27 reads an image file that the user has specifiedfrom the record medium 30 through the recording I/F 21 or from anexternal device (not shown) through the external I/F 26. An image filethat the CPU 27 reads at S201 may have been generated by anotherelectronic camera as long as the standard based on which the image filehas been creased complies with the standard for image files generated bythe electronic camera of this embodiment.

Step 202: The CPU 27 determines whether or not the image file read atS201 contains data that represent the position of a main object and datathat represent a registered person. Data that represent the position ofthe main object and so forth correspond to data recorded in the headerat S122 in the shooting mode. When the image file contains the data (YESside), the flow advances to S209. In contrast, when the image file doesnot contain the data (NO side), the flow advances to S203.

Step 203: The CPU 27 executes the face detecting process for the data ofthe shooting image.

Step 204: The CPU 27 determines whether or not a face area has beendetected in the face detecting process at S203. When a face area hasbeen detected (YES side), the flow advances to S205. In contrast, when aface area has not been detected (NO side), the flow advances to S209.

Step 205: The face recognizing section 33 of the CPU 27 executes theface recognizing process of detecting a face of a registered person as arecognizing target from face areas based on data of characterizingpoints obtained in the face detecting process at S203 and the facerecognizing data stored in the second memory 28.

Step 206: The CPU 27 determines whether or not a face of a registeredperson has been detected in the face recognizing process at S205. When aface of a registered person has been detected (YES side), the flowadvances to S207. In contrast, when a face of a registered person hasnot been detected (NO) side, the flow advances to S209.

Step 207: The CPU 27 specifies a main object in objects corresponding toface areas as the result of the face recognizing process at S205. TheCPU 27 specifies a main object nearly in the same manner as it does atS107 except that it specifies a main object not based onobject-distances. To prevent redundancy, the description of this methodwill be omitted.

Step 208: The CPU 27 records data that represent the position of themain object specified at S207 and data that represent a registeredperson to the header of the image file. Instead, the CPU 27 may generatea file that contains the data that represent the position of the mainobject specified at S207 and so forth besides the image file read atS201. Thus, the CPU 27 can use the data that represent the position ofthe main object specified at S207 and so forth when the CPU 27 reads theimage file the next time.

Step 209: The CPU 27 plays back the shooting image data and causes themonitor 23 to display the playback shooting image data. At this point,the CPU 27 causes the monitor 23 to display a menu in the GUI format asshown in FIG. 6. The CPU 27 accepts a menu item that the user hasselected and input on the menu. Examples of menu items of the menuinclude slide show, image process, printing setting data generation, andwireless communication. The CPU 27 executes one of various types ofprocesses corresponding to a menu item that the user has selected on themenu. Like the case shown in FIG. 4, for an image file in which a mainobject has been specified, a mode in which the CPU 27 superimposes aframe that represents the main object with a playback image may beprovided (frames are not shown in FIG. 6).

Next, each menu item will be described in details.

(1) Slide Show

When slide shown is selected as a menu item on the menu, the CPU 27executes a slide show of image files by successively playing backshooting images of a plurality of image files (for example, all imagefiles recorded in the record medium 30). In the slide shown, the CPU 27performs the following processes for an image file in which a mainobject has been specified.

In proportion to the number of main objects contained in a shootingimage, the CPU 27 increases the display time for a shooting image of theslid show. In addition, the CPU 27 may execute a slide shown withspecial effects based on the position of a face of a main object. Forexample, the CPU 27 may cause the monitor 23 to zoom up or down, rotate,fade in or out an image based on the position of the face of the mainobject.

When a shooting image contains faces of a plurality of main objects, theCPU 27 may execute a slide show by dividing the shooting image intoportions corresponding to the number of persons of main objects. Forexample, the CPU 27 executes a slide show for example by a means ofenlarging faces of main objects. When the second memory 28 has storedplayback display setting data of a registered person as a main object,the CPU 27 may execute a slide show based on the playback displaysetting data.

(2) Photo Retouch

When photo retouch has been selected as a menu item on the menu, the CPU27 causes the image processing section 20 to perform an image processfor data of a shooting image. The image processing section 20 executesthe edge enhancing process, gradation correction, color saturationadjustment, light volume correcting process, noise reduction process,red-eye reduction correction, blurring reduction correction, and soforth. Like the process of S121, the image processing section 20performs the image processes such that the image processes for an areaof a main object of a shooting image are different from those for theother areas. Since these processes have been described at S121, forprevent redundancy, these descriptions will be omitted.

(3) DPOF

When DPOF has been selected as a menu item on the menu, the CPU 27generates printing setting data for an image file to be played back onthe basis of the DPOF standard. For an image file in which a main objecthas been specified, the CPU 27 counts the number of persons of mainobjects and automatically specifies the number of prints for theprinting setting data. When printing setting data for a registeredperson as a main object has been stored in the second memory 28, the CPU27 may read the printing setting for the registered person from thesecond memory 28 and specify the number of prints and the printing sizeof the printing setting data.

(4) Wireless Communication

When wireless communication has been selected as a menu item on themenu, the CPU 27 transmits an image file to be played back to theoutside of the electronic camera through the communicating section 25.When address data have been recorded in the header of the image file,the CPU 27 transmits the image file based on the address data. Whentransmission setting data for a registered person as a main object havebeen stored in the second memory 28, the CPU 27 may read the addressdata from the second memory 28 and transmit the image file to be playedback to the outside of the electronic camera. As a result, the operationof the editing mode is completed.

Next, the effects in the editing mode of the electronic camera of thisembodiment will be described.

In the editing mode, the electronic camera can perform image processesand execute a slide show based on a main object specified as the resultof the face recognition. In addition, the electronic camera can generateprinting setting data for shooting image data in which a main object hasbeen specified and wirelessly transmit the data of the shooting image tothe outside. Thus, according to this embodiment, an electronic camerathat is functional and user-friendly can be accomplished.

Particularly, in the editing mode of this embodiment, even if an imagefile does not contain data that specify a main object, the CPU 27 canperform the face recognizing process for shooting image data to specifya main object. Thus, even if an object has been shot without recognizinga face, since the same effects as the electronic camera does in theshooting mode can be obtained, the user-friendliness of the electroniccamera can be further improved.

When a main object is specified in the editing mode, the CPU 27 performsthe face recognizing process for a shooting image, detects a registeredperson, and specifies the registered person as a main object. Inaddition, along with a registered person, the CPU 27 can specify as mainobjects a person that it can estimate that the user treats the person asa registered person due to the layout of the shooting image. Thus,according to this embodiment, a main object that follows the intentionof the user can be specified.

Supplementary Description of Embodiment

(1) In the foregoing embodiment, the electronic camera that detects aface with the image pickup device 15 that captures a shooting image wasdescribed. However, the present invention is not limited to such anexample of the foregoing embodiment. For example, in a single-lensreflex type camera, a focus detecting mechanism, an optical finder, orthe like may be provided with an image pickup device that detects aface. In this case, the present invention can be applied to such asingle-lens reflex type camera.

(2) In the foregoing embodiment, an example of an electronic camera thatplays back an image was described. However, according to the presentinvention, an image processing apparatus that executes the same processas the editing mode of the electronic camera of the foregoing embodimentmay be structured by a playback-only apparatus (viewer) that has afunction of playing back an image file or a general-purpose computerthat executes an image playback program.

(3) In the shooting mode of the foregoing embodiment, when the releasebutton has been halfway pressed as a trigger, the CPU 27 may perform theface detecting process, face recognizing process, and so forth.

(4) In the editing mode of this embodiment, the CPU 27 may cause anexternal display apparatus (for example, a television set) to display animage through a video terminal of the displaying I/F 22.

(5) It is not always necessary to match the structure of the electroniccamera of the present invention with that of the foregoing embodiment.For example, the first memory 19 and the system bus 29 may be structuredas a common memory. In addition, a part of the structure of theelectronic camera of the embodiment, for example the communicatingsection 25, may be omitted.

The invention is not limited to the above embodiments and variousmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. Any improvement may be made in part or all of thecomponents.

1. An electronic camera, comprising: an image pickup device whichphoto-electrically converts an image of an object into an electricsignal and generates an image signal as the electric signal; a memorywhich has recorded registration data representing characterizing pointsof faces as recognizing targets; a face detecting section which detectsface areas in a shooting image plane based on said image signal andextracts characterizing points of faces of objects from said face areas;a face recognizing section which determines whether or not said faceareas are said recognizing targets based on data of said characterizingpoints corresponding to said face areas and on said registration data;and an object specifying section which specifies as a main object anobject present on nearest side of the electronic camera of objects assaid recognizing targets.
 2. The electronic camera as set forth in claim1, further comprises: a focusing section which executes a focusingcontrol based on said main objects.
 3. The electronic camera as setforth in claim 1, further comprises: an image processing section whichgenerates data of the shooting image based on said image signal; and animage file generating section which generates attachment datarepresenting said main objects of said shooting image and an image filecorrelating the data of said shooting image with said attachment data.4. An electronic camera, comprising: an image pickup device whichphoto-electrically converts an image of an object into an electricsignal and generates an image signal as the electric signal; a memorywhich has recorded registration data representing characterizing pointsof faces as recognizing targets; a face detecting section which detectsface areas in a shooting image plane based on said image signal andextracts characterizing points of faces of objects from said face areas;a face recognizing section which determines whether or not said faceareas are said recognizing targets based on data of said characterizingpoints corresponding to said face areas and on said registration data;and an object specifying section which specifies as a main object anobject closest to a center in a shooting image plane in objects of saidrecognizing targets.
 5. The electronic camera as set forth in claim 4,further comprises: a focusing section which executes a focusing controlbased on said main objects.
 6. The electronic camera as set forth inclaim 4, further comprises: an image processing section which generatesdata of the shooting image based on said image signal; and an image filegenerating section which generates attachment data representing saidmain objects of said shooting image and an image file correlating thedata of said shooting image with said attachment data.
 7. An electroniccamera, comprising: an image pickup device which photo-electricallyconverts an image of an object into an electric signal and generates animage signal as the electric signal; a memory which has recordedregistration data representing characterizing points of faces asrecognizing targets; a face detecting section which detects face areasin a shooting image plane based on said image signal and extractscharacterizing points of faces of objects from said face areas; a facerecognizing section which determines whether or not said face areas aresaid recognizing targets based on data of said characterizing pointscorresponding to said face areas and on said registration data; aranging section which calculates object-distances of individual objects;and an object specifying section which specifies as main objects anobject whose object-distance is different from a referenceobject-distance of objects of said recognizing targets is within apredetermined range in objects corresponding to said face areas togetherwith the objects as said recognizing objects.
 8. The electronic cameraas set forth in claim 7, further comprises: a manipulation section whichaccepts an input from a user, wherein said object specifying sectionchanges an upper limit of a number of objects specified as said mainobjects based on the input from the manipulation section.
 9. Theelectronic camera as set forth in claim 7, further comprises: a shootingcontrolling section which detects states of said main objects based onsaid image signal and controls a shooting operation of the electroniccamera based on said states in which said main objects have beendetected.
 10. The electronic camera as set forth in claim 7, furthercomprises: an image processing section which performs an image processfor data of a shooting image shot by said image pickup device such thatthe image process for areas corresponding to said main objects isdifferent from that for other areas.
 11. The electronic camera as setforth in claim 7, further comprises: an image processing section whichgenerates data of the shooting image based on said image signal; and animage file generating section which generates attachment datarepresenting said main objects of said shooting image and an image filecorrelating the data of said shooting image with said attachment data.12. An electronic camera, comprising: an image pickup device whichphoto-electrically converts an image of an object into an electricsignal and generates an image signal as the electric signal; a memorywhich has recorded registration data representing characterizing pointsof faces as recognizing targets; a face detecting section which detectsface areas in a shooting image plane based on said image signal andextracts characterizing points of faces of objects from said face areas;a face recognizing section which determines whether or not said faceareas are said recognizing targets based on data of said characterizingpoints corresponding to said face areas and on said registration data;and an object specifying section which specifies as main objects anobject apart from objects as said recognizing targets in said shootingimage plane within a predetermined range in objects corresponding tosaid face areas together with the objects as said recognizing targets.13. The electronic camera as set forth in of claim 12, furthercomprises: a manipulation section which accepts an input from a user,wherein said object specifying section changes an upper limit of anumber of objects specified as said main objects based on the input fromthe manipulation section.
 14. The electronic camera as set forth inclaim 12, further comprises: a shooting controlling section whichdetects states of said main objects based on said image signal andcontrols a shooting operation of the electronic camera based on saidstates in which said main objects have been detected.
 15. The electroniccamera as set forth in claim 12, further comprises: an image processingsection which performs an image process for data of a shooting imageshot by said image pickup device such that the image process for areascorresponding to said main objects is different from that for otherareas.
 16. The electronic camera as set forth in claim 12, furthercomprises: an image processing section which generates data of theshooting image based on said image signal; and an image file generatingsection which generates attachment data representing said main objectsof said shooting image and an image file correlating the data of saidshooting image with said attachment data.
 17. An electronic camera,comprising: an image pickup device which photo-electrically converts animage of an object into an electric signal and generates an image signalas the electric signal; a memory which has recorded registration datarepresenting characterizing points of faces as recognizing targets; aface detecting section which detects face areas in a shooting imageplane based on said image signal and extracts characterizing points offaces of objects from said face areas; a face recognizing section whichdetermines whether or not said face areas are said recognizing targetsbased on data of said characterizing points corresponding to said faceareas and on said registration data; and an object specifying sectionwhich specifies as main objects an object corresponding to said facearea whose size is equal to or larger than a predetermined thresholdvalue in objects corresponding to said face areas together with theobjects as said recognizing targets.
 18. The electronic camera as setforth in claim 17, further comprises: a manipulation section whichaccepts an input from a user, wherein said object specifying sectionchanges an upper limit of a number of objects specified as said mainobjects based on the input from the manipulation section.
 19. Theelectronic camera as set forth in claim 17, further comprises: ashooting controlling section which detects states of said main objectsbased on said image signal and controls a shooting operation of theelectronic camera based on said states in which said main objects havebeen detected.
 20. The electronic camera as set forth in claim 17,further comprises: an image processing section which performs an imageprocess for data of a shooting image shot by said image pickup devicesuch that the image process for areas corresponding to said main objectsis different from that for other areas.
 21. The electronic camera as setforth in claim 17, further comprises: an image processing section whichgenerates data of the shooting image based on said image signal; and animage file generating section which generates attachment datarepresenting said main objects of said shooting image and an image filecorrelating the data of said shooting image with said attachment data.22. An image processing apparatus, comprising: a data reading sectionwhich reads data of a shooting image generated by an electronic camera;a memory which has recorded registration data representingcharacterizing points of faces as recognizing targets; a face detectingsection which detects face areas from said shooting image and extractscharacterizing points of faces of objects from said face areas; a facerecognizing section which determines whether or not said face areas aresaid recognizing targets based on data of said characterizing pointscorresponding to said face areas and on said registration data; and anobject specifying section which specifies as main objects an objectapart from objects as said recognizing targets in said shooting imageplane within a predetermined range in objects corresponding to said faceareas together with the objects as said recognizing targets.
 23. Theimage processing apparatus as set forth in claim 22, further comprises:an image processing section which performs an image process for saidshooting image such that the image process for areas corresponding tosaid main objects is different from that for other areas.
 24. An imageprocessing apparatus, comprising: a data reading section which readsdata of a shooting image generated by an electronic camera; a memorywhich has recorded registration data representing characterizing pointsof faces as recognizing targets; a face detecting section which detectsface areas from said shooting image and extracts characterizing pointsof faces of objects from said face areas; a face recognizing sectionwhich determines whether or not said face areas are said recognizingtargets based on data of said characterizing points corresponding tosaid face areas and on said registration data; and an object specifyingsection which specifies as main objects an object corresponding to saidface area whose size is equal to or larger than a predeterminedthreshold value in objects corresponding to said face areas togetherwith the objects as said recognizing targets.
 25. The image processingapparatus as set forth in claim 24, further comprises: an imageprocessing section which performs an image process for said shootingimage such that the image process for areas corresponding to said mainobjects is different from that for other areas.
 26. An electroniccamera, comprising: an image pickup device which photo-electricallyconverts an image of an object into an electric signal and generates animage signal as the electric signal; a memory which has recordedregistration data representing characterizing points of faces asrecognizing targets; a face detecting section which detects face areasin a shooting image plane based on said image signal and extractscharacterizing points of faces of objects from said face areas; a facerecognizing section which determines whether or not said face areas aresaid recognizing targets based on data of said characterizing pointscorresponding to said face areas and on said registration data; anobject specifying section which specifies main objects in the objectscorresponding to said face areas as a result determined by said facerecognizing section; and a shooting controlling section which detectsstates of said main objects based on said image signal and controls ashooting operation of the electronic camera based on said states inwhich said main objects have been detected.
 27. The electronic camera asset forth in claim 26, wherein said shooting controlling sectioncontrols focus based on said main objects.
 28. The electronic camera asset forth in claim 26, wherein said shooting controlling section detectsblurring of said main objects based on said image signal and controlssaid shooting operation based on states of which the blurring of saidmain objects has been detected.
 29. The electronic camera as set forthin claim 26, wherein said shooting controlling section estimatesexpressions of faces of said main objects based on said image signal andcontrols said shooting operation based on types of said expressions. 30.The electronic camera as set forth in claim 26, wherein said shootingcontrolling section detects focusing states of a plurality of said mainobjects based on said image signal and controls a depth of field basedon said focusing states.
 31. An electronic camera, comprising: an imagepickup device which photo-electrically converts an image of an objectinto an electric signal and generates an image signal as the electricsignal; a memory which has recorded registration data representingcharacterizing points of faces as recognizing targets; a face detectingsection which detects face areas in a shooting image plane based on saidimage signal and extracts characterizing points of faces of objects fromsaid face areas; a face recognizing section which determines whether ornot said face areas are said recognizing targets based on data of saidcharacterizing points corresponding to said face areas and on saidregistration data; an object specifying section which specifies mainobjects in the objects corresponding to said face areas as a resultdetermined by said face recognizing section; and an image processingsection which generates data of a shooting image based on said imagesignal and performs an image process for said shooting image such thatthe image process for areas corresponding to said main objects isdifferent from that for other areas.
 32. The electronic camera as setforth in claim 31, wherein said image processing section performs acorrecting process for edge enhancement such that the correcting processfor the areas corresponding to said main objects is different from thatfor said other areas.
 33. The electronic camera as set forth in claim31, wherein said image processing section performs the image processsuch that characteristics of gradation correction for the areascorresponding to said main objects are different from those for saidother areas.
 34. The electronic camera as set forth in claim 31, whereinsaid image processing section performs the image process for colorsaturation such that the color saturation for the areas corresponding tosaid main objects are different from that for said other areas.
 35. Theelectronic camera as set forth in claim 31, wherein said imageprocessing section executes a light volume correcting process whichadjusts a gradation of a dark portion or a highlight portion of an imageof the areas corresponding to said main objects as a result of an imageanalysis.
 36. The electronic camera as set forth in claim 31, whereinsaid image processing section performs a noise reduction process suchthat the noise reduction process for the areas corresponding to saidmain objects is different from that for said other areas.
 37. Theelectronic camera as set forth in claim 31, wherein said imageprocessing section performs a correcting process for red-eye reductionsuch that the red-eye reduction for the areas corresponding to said mainobjects is different from that for said other areas.
 38. The electroniccamera as set forth in claim 31, wherein said image processing sectionperforms a correcting process for blurring reduction such that theblurring reduction for the areas corresponding to said main objects isdifferent from that for said other areas.
 39. An electronic camera,comprising: an image pickup device which photo-electrically converts animage of an object into an electric signal and generates an image signalas the electric signal; a memory which has recorded registration datarepresenting characterizing points of faces as recognizing targets; aface detecting section which detects face areas in a shooting imageplane based on said image signal and extracts characterizing points offaces of objects from said face areas; a face recognizing section whichdetermines whether or not said face areas are said recognizing targetsbased on data of said characterizing points corresponding to said faceareas and on said registration data; an object specifying section whichspecifies main objects in the objects corresponding to said face areasas a result determined by said face recognizing section; an imageprocessing section which generates data of a shooting image based onsaid image signal; and an image file generating section which generatestogether with attachment data representing said main objects of saidshooting image, an image file of which said attachment data arecorrelated with the data of said shooting image.
 40. An electroniccamera, comprising: an image pickup device which photo-electricallyconverts an image of an object into an electric signal and generates animage signal as the electric signal; a memory which has recordedregistration data representing characterizing points of faces asrecognizing targets; a face detecting section which detects face areasin a shooting image plane based on said image signal and extractscharacterizing points of faces of objects from said face areas; a facerecognizing section which determines whether or not said face areas aresaid recognizing targets based on data of said characterizing pointscorresponding to said face areas and on said registration data; anobject specifying section which specifies main objects in the objectscorresponding to said face areas as a result determined by said facerecognizing section; an image processing section which generates data ofa shooting image based on said image signal; and a printing setting datagenerating section which generates printing setting data with whichprinting of said shooting image is set based on said main objectsspecified in said shooting image.
 41. An electronic camera, comprising:an image pickup device which photo-electrically converts an image of anobject into an electric signal and generates an image signal as theelectric signal; a memory which has recorded registration datarepresenting characterizing points of faces as recognizing targets andaddress data used for data communication with persons of saidregistration data; a face detecting section which detects face areas ina shooting image plane based on said image signal and extractscharacterizing points of faces of objects from said face areas; a facerecognizing section which determines whether or not said face areas aresaid recognizing targets based on data of said characterizing pointscorresponding to said face areas and on said registration data; anobject specifying section which specifies main objects in the objectscorresponding to said face areas as a result determined by said facerecognizing section; an image processing section which generates data ofa shooting image based on said image signal; and a controlling sectionwhich correlates said address data corresponding to said main objectswith the data of said shooting image.
 42. An image processing apparatus,comprising: a data reading section which reads data of a shooting imagegenerated by an electronic camera; a memory which has recordedregistration data representing characterizing points of faces asrecognizing targets; a face detecting section which detects face areasin a shooting image plane and extracts characterizing points of faces ofobjects from said face areas; a face recognizing section whichdetermines whether or not said face areas are said recognizing targetsbased on data of said characterizing points corresponding to said faceareas and on said registration data; an object specifying section whichspecifies main objects in the objects corresponding to said face areasas a result determined by said face recognizing section; and an imageprocessing section which performs an image process such that the imageprocess for areas corresponding to said main objects of said shootingimage is different from that for other areas.
 43. An image processingapparatus, comprising: a data reading section which reads data of ashooting image generated by an electronic camera; a memory which hasrecorded registration data representing characterizing points of facesas recognizing targets and playback setting data representing displaysetting for playback of a shooting image of objects of said registrationdata; a face detecting section which detects face areas in a shootingimage plane and extracts characterizing points of faces of objects fromsaid face areas; a face recognizing section which determines whether ornot said face areas are said recognizing targets based on data of saidcharacterizing points corresponding to said face areas and on saidregistration data; an object specifying section which specifies mainobjects in the objects corresponding to said face areas as a resultdetermined by said face recognizing section; and a playback controllingsection which obtains said playback setting data corresponding to saidmain objects and plays back said shooting image based on said playbacksetting data.
 44. An image processing apparatus, comprising: a datareading section which reads data of a shooting image generated by anelectronic camera; a memory which has recorded registration datarepresenting characterizing points of faces as recognizing targets; aface detecting section which detects face areas in a shooting imageplane and extracts characterizing points of faces of objects from saidface areas; a face recognizing section which determines whether or notsaid face areas are said recognizing targets based on data of saidcharacterizing points corresponding to said face areas and on saidregistration data; an object specifying section which specifies mainobjects in the objects corresponding to said face areas as a resultdetermined by said face recognizing section; and a printing setting datagenerating section which generates printing setting data with whichprinting of said shooting image is set based on said main objectsspecified in said shooting image.
 45. An image processing apparatus,comprising: a data reading section which reads data of a shooting imagegenerated by an electronic camera; a memory which has recordedregistration data representing characterizing points of faces asrecognizing targets and address data used for data communication withpersons of said registration data; a face detecting section whichdetects face areas in a shooting image plane and extracts characterizingpoints of faces of objects from said face areas; a face recognizingsection which determines whether or not said face areas are saidrecognizing targets based on data of said characterizing pointscorresponding to said face areas and on said registration data; anobject specifying section which specifies main objects in the objectscorresponding to said face areas as a result determined by said facerecognizing section; and a controlling section which correlates saidaddress data corresponding to said main objects with the data of saidshooting image.
 46. An image processing apparatus, comprising: a datareading section which reads an image file of which data of a shootingimage generated by an electronic camera and attachment data representingmain objects in said shooting image specified in a face recognizingprocess by said electronic camera have been correlated; an objectspecifying section which specifies the main objects in objects of saidshooting image based on said attachment data; and an image processingsection which performs an image process such that the image process forareas corresponding to said main objects in said shooting image isdifferent from that for other areas.
 47. An image processing apparatus,comprising: a data reading section which reads an image file of whichdata of a shooting image generated by an electronic camera andattachment data representing main objects in said shooting imagespecified in a face recognizing process by said electronic camera havebeen correlated; a memory which has recorded playback setting datarepresenting display setting for playback of said shooting imagecontaining registered persons; an object specifying section whichspecifies the main objects in objects of said shooting image based onsaid attachment data; and a playback controlling section which playsback said shooting image based on said playback setting datacorresponding to said registered persons when said main objects matchsaid registered persons.
 48. An image processing apparatus, comprising:a data reading section which reads an image file of which data of ashooting image generated by an electronic camera and attachment datarepresenting main objects in said shooting image specified in a facerecognizing process by said electronic camera have been correlated; anobject specifying section which specifies the main object in objects ofsaid shooting image based on said attachment data; and a printingsetting data generating section which generates printing setting datawith which printing of said shooting image is set based on said mainobjects specified in said shooting image.
 49. An image processingapparatus, comprising: a data reading section which reads an image fileof which data of a shooting image generated by an electronic camera andattachment data representing main objects in said shooting imagespecified in a face recognizing process by said electronic camera havebeen correlated; a memory which has recorded address data used for datacommunication with registered persons; an object specifying sectionwhich specifies the main objects in objects of said shooting image basedon said attachment data; and a controlling section which correlates saidaddress data corresponding to said main objects with data of saidshooting image when said main objects match said registered persons. 50.An electronic camera, comprising: a recognizing unit which recognizes,together with a person, an object other than a person; a registeringunit which registers recognizing data which said recognizing unit usesto recognize said object; and a registration controlling unit whichcategorizes together with the recognizing data about the person, therecognizing data about the object other than said person as a group andregisters the group.
 51. The electronic camera as set forth in claim 50,wherein the object other than said person is an animal.